The Cottage Market Saturday Collection: Vintage Finds, Clever DIY Projects and Cozy Vegetarian Favorites

Have you ever looked at a big blank wall and wished you could give it a custom farmhouse look without breaking out the power tools? KariAnne shows how peel and stick wall molding can completely transform a room in under an hour and for less than $50.

Once the molding is caulked and painted the same color as the wall, it looks like beautiful custom millwork. This could add so much character to a bedroom, dining room, entryway or hallway without the expense of traditional molding.

Finding the treasure is only the beginning…then comes the fun part of bringing it home and finding the perfect place for it!

Michele shares wonderful ideas for arranging thrift store and estate sale finds so they look collected and intentional rather than cluttered. She also includes plenty of helpful treasure hunting advice, from shopping regularly to carrying cash and keeping a wish list of pieces you would love to find.

Sometimes a room has lovely furniture and pretty accessories but still feels a little flat. Contrast may be the missing ingredient!

Yvonne explains how differences in color, texture, shape and scale give a room depth and help the eye notice all of its beautiful details. You do not need to change everything…sometimes one darker color, an interesting texture or a different shape is enough to wake up the entire space.

Farmhouse decorating does not have to mean a home filled entirely with white, beige and natural wood. Sara shares how she slowly introduced colorful rugs, patterned fabrics and cheerful artwork into her cottage and discovered a style that felt much more like her.

The most important message here is to decorate for the people who actually live in your home…not for an algorithm or a passing trend. Fill your rooms with the colors and treasures that make your heart happy!

Ann’s coastal Maine home is filled with vintage pieces, family heirlooms and treasures collected over many years. Each summer she brings out meaningful favorites such as her mother’s blue and white dishes, lightweight blankets, rustic planters and special pieces for the table.

This is such a beautiful reminder that seasonal decorating does not have to come from a store. Sometimes the loveliest summer home is created by unpacking familiar treasures, adding garden flowers and enjoying pieces that already carry wonderful memories.

I know we are still enjoying summer…but it is never too early to gather a little inspiration for the cozy days ahead!

This year’s fall decorating ideas include warm terracotta, deep red accents, dried hydrangeas and other classic pieces that can be layered into what you already own. You do not need to redecorate an entire room…one pretty pumpkin, a new pillow or a basket filled with dried flowers can gently welcome the new season.

When floor space and storage are limited, sometimes the best solution is simply to look up!

Floating shelves, peg rails, hooks and hanging baskets can turn unused wall space into attractive storage. Display vintage books, plants, family photographs, aprons, baskets or favorite kitchen pieces while freeing up counters, cabinets and closets. This is especially helpful in small apartments, older homes and cozy cottages where every square foot matters.

Would you believe this whimsical butterfly begins with two ordinary heart shaped grapevine wreaths? The pointed ends are joined together to create the wings and then covered with moss and beautiful garden flowers.

The fresh flowers are chosen because they dry naturally while the wreath hangs, allowing the arrangement to become a lasting piece of botanical art. No cutting garden? Faux flowers will work beautifully too!

There is nothing prettier than a vase filled with flowers freshly cut from the garden…until an ant, spider or tiny caterpillar crawls out onto the kitchen table!

These four simple steps help remove dirt and unwanted little visitors before your bouquet comes indoors. Remove the lower leaves, gently shake the flowers, place the stems in cool water and briefly dip stubborn blooms when necessary. It is such a practical tip that every flower gardener should know.

Now this is clever! KariAnne takes ordinary candlesticks and fits small glass bud vases into the tops, instantly giving the candlesticks an entirely new purpose.

Fill them with zinnias, herbs, tiny branches or single seasonal blooms and arrange them down the center of the table. It is an easy way to use a candlestick collection even when you do not want candles…and the result is so sweet and farmhouse pretty!

Strawberries are having such a charming decorating moment, and these handmade stems would look adorable displayed in a vintage pitcher, ironstone vase or little farmhouse crock.

This easy tutorial creates cheerful strawberry decor that can be used on a summer table, kitchen shelf or beverage station. Make a few stems for a small touch of color or create an entire bunch for a fabulous seasonal centerpiece.

How many times have you found a beautiful old wooden frame at the thrift store…but it was completely the wrong size for your artwork? Denise shows how she takes a larger thrifted frame apart, measures it carefully, cuts the sides and rebuilds it to fit.

This takes a little more work than a simple paint project, but it can save a tremendous amount of money compared with custom framing. It also lets you keep all of that wonderful character that newer frames simply do not have.

Friends…remember this one! The Pyrex Gourmet black and white leaf casserole dish was released as a limited promotional piece in 1961, which means there are far fewer of them floating around than many familiar Pyrex patterns.

Look for a white 2.5 quart casserole dish decorated with square black leaves. Some were originally sold with a clear lid, trivet and candle warmer. If you ever see one hiding on a thrift store shelf or estate sale table…pick it up before someone else does! Lol!

This is such a delightful recipe and one that you should try, especially if you are new to tofu. The tofu is coated with cornmeal, potato starch and simple seasonings before being pan fried until golden and crispy on the outside while remaining tender and chewy inside.

Serve these yummy sticks with all of your favorite dipping sauces and let everyone have a feast! When tofu costs about $1.49 at my ALDI, this could become one very budget friendly family meal. Once the kids discover how much fun tofu can be, you may find yourself making these again and again!

It is amazing what you can create with a block of tofu, a few pantry condiments and some rice! The tofu is lightly coated, pan fried until crisp and then tossed in a sweet, savory and tangy sesame sauce.

My little grandson Roman is one of the pickiest eaters on the planet, and this is one of his favorite things! The entire meal can be ready in about 30 minutes and gives you that satisfying takeout flavor for a fraction of the cost.

So easy and so budget friendly…you need only a few ingredients to make a whole lot of crunchy, zesty snacking goodness!

The pretzels are tossed with a bold blend of dill pickle, garlic and ranch flavors and require only about 10 minutes of hands on preparation. Serve them at a party, pack them for a road trip, enjoy them during movie night or tuck them into little bags to share with friends.

Talk about quick, easy and packed with goodness! Black beans, black eyed peas, corn, tomatoes, peppers, onions and herbs are tossed with a homemade Italian style dressing to create a colorful dish filled with protein, crunch and fabulous flavor.

Serve it with tortilla chips, spoon it over rice, tuck it into wraps or enjoy it as a hearty salad. I think a handful of dried cranberries would be delicious in here too…just enough to add a surprising little sweet note!